A source familiar with the matter said complaints against investigators in high profile cases are a common tactic

Published Oct 5, 2018 at 5:23 AM

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In this June 5, 2018, file photo, Harvey Weinstein and attorney Benjamin Brafman exit New York State Supreme Court in New York City. Weinstein pleaded not guilty on two counts of rape and one count of a criminal sexual act.

The NYPD is looking into a claim that one of its detectives may have mishandled a potential witness in the New York rape case against Harvey Weinstein.

Two sources familiar with the case told NBC that questions have been raised by Weinstein's defense team as to whether an NYPD detective crossed a line in his handling of interviews related to the Lucia Evans case.

Evans alleged that she was forced to perform oral sex on Weinstein in 2004 during a meeting at his office in Manhattan. Weinstein has denied the allegation.

The news comes amid a TMZ report that a witness, who was identified as a female casting director, told an investigator that Evans told her she performed oral sex on Weinstein to get an acting role. The investigator allegedly never gave the statement to prosecutors, the site said.

NBC has not spoken with that casting director.

The NYPD is conducting an internal review of the claim, with a court hearing expected next month, according to sources familiar with the case.

A source familiar with the matter said complaints against investigators in high profile cases are a common tactic; a review of the claim is underway to discern whether there is any truth to it.

"The NYPD, working with its partner the New York District Attorney, is fully confident in the overall case it has pursued against Mr. Weinstein," an NYPD spokesman said in a statement. "The evidence shows that the criminal case against him is strong. The NYPD will continue to assist the prosecution any way it can to ensure justice is achieved for these brave survivors."